ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize our surgical experience in repair and functional reconstruction for compound defects of proximal phalanx and dorsal skin at multiple digits,Methods Six patients with multiple digital defects were treated in our department between June 1996 and March 2005.At the first stage,free iliac bone grafts were used to repair defects of proximal phalanges and temporary syndactyly between adjacent affected fingers was created through digital palmar skin sutures.The defects were covered with free flap transfer finally.Dorsalis pedis flaps were used in four patients,a lateral arm flap in one and a lateral thoracic flap in one respectively.At the second stage,a partial debulking procedure and division of syndaetyty followed three to six months later.Additional procedures were performed in three eases to reconstruct the digital extensor function through tendon transfer.The follow-ups ranged from six months to nine years.Results The flaps survived uneventfully in the six patients postoperatively.The dorsal aspects of reconstructed fingers demonstrated an aesthetically pleasing effect after the flap debulking procedures and division of syndactyly.Follow-up X-Ray examinations showed good lilac bone union and nearly normal structure of digital bone.The distal interphalangeal extension restored to normal in the three cases after extensor reconstruction.Conclusions Iliac bone graft to repair phalangeal defects and free flap transplantation to cover skin defects can be a good treatment for compound defects of proximal phalanx and dorsal skin at multiple digits.Secondary plastic procedure may greatly improve the appearance of a reconstructed digit,and extensor re- construction the function of distal interphalangeal extension too.